§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the provision of housing for disabled people in Northern Ireland.
205W
§ Mr. CarterI recognise that provision of specially designed and adapted housing for disabled persons in Northern Ireland should continue to be a priority consideration of the Government and of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. The Executive has made considerable progress in the provision of mobility and wheelchair houses in new estates where the need is readily identifiable. There has also been a considerable increase in the number of adaptions made to existing executive dwellings, and the Executive makes grants available for adaptations in the private sector. Government Department, the Housing Executive and the area boards are continually exploring ways of improving provision for disabled persons.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many specially designed dwellings for persons confined to a wheelchair are available in Northern Ireland;
(2) how many specially designed dwellings for persons confined to a wheelchair are available in each area health board.
§ Mr. CarterThis information is not readily available. I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of disabled children in residential homes in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. CarterNinety-three.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of persons living in sheltered housing in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. CarterIt is estimated that the number of persons living in sheltered housing—warden-assisted accommodation with self-catering facilities and usually with a communication system—provided by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive is between 3,500 and 3,800. There are as yet no completed sheltered housing schemes provided by registered housing associations.